Annual Pass Question

[LisaT91403]

We are going to buy a SoCal annual pass when we go to DL in mid-February. I was at the Disney Store today, and saw that you can buy them there as well (looks like a gift card), but you then need to go to the Annual Pass Center (?) at DL to get the actual pass.

My question is...does it save any time to buy the card ahead of time, and then go to the Annual Pass line to get the actual pass? Or can I take care of the entire transaction in the Annual Pass line once I get to the park?

Thanks.

 

[skiingfast]

It probably makes just a little difference. Either buy at the Disney Store and exchange it at the AP Processing Center inside one of the parks. (BTW the spot in DCA may not be available). Or buy an Eticket and upgrade it into the Socal pass at the AP. Or pay for a AP at the ticket booth and then go to the AP Processing Center to get the AP made, probably the slowest option.

 

[LisaT91403]

Does the AP processing center open before the park opens? The park doesn't open until 10:00 the day we are going...just wondering if we could get the pass taken care of prior to that.

 

[LavenderPeach]

Does the AP processing center open before the park opens? The park doesn't open until 10:00 the day we are going...just wondering if we could get the pass taken care of prior to that.

No but you don't have to go straight there. You can go do some rides first and then take care of the AP later. You probably have to do it before you parkhop though but I'm not sure.

 

[skiingfast]

Does the AP processing center open before the park opens? The park doesn't open until 10:00 the day we are going...just wondering if we could get the pass taken care of prior to that.

The Processing Centers are inside the parks. On the left end of main street in DL. And on the left in DCA inside Greeting From California, though like I said this will be closing so I don't know if they will still have a AP center in DCA when you go.

 

[mvf-m11c]

The Processing Centers are inside the parks. On the left end of main street in DL. And on the left in DCA inside Greeting From California, though like I said this will be closing so I don't know if they will still have a AP center in DCA when you go.

Just as skiingfast said, the AP Center at DL is the Plaza Pavilion right by the entrance of Adventureland. Looks like when I go to DL next week, I'll find out where the AP Center in DCA will be when Greetings from California store closed.

 

[BELLEDOZER]

I rather liked the Greetings from California store at the enterance to CA, both for it's ease in getting AP's and I liked the store in general I'm going to miss it. The AP centre is directly across from the Plaza Inn on Main Street in DL.

 

[LisaT91403]

No but you don't have to go straight there. You can go do some rides first and then take care of the AP later. You probably have to do it before you parkhop though but I'm not sure.

Ah, so let me see if I've got this straight. I can buy a SoCal Annual Pass card at the Disney Store (or buy an eTicket annual pass online), and then go straight to the main gate to get into the park...avoiding the ticket lines, Then I can get the annual pass at the processing center sometime later in the day. Right?

 

[sonnyjane]

Ah, so let me see if I've got this straight. I can buy a SoCal Annual Pass card at the Disney Store (or buy an eTicket annual pass online), and then go straight to the main gate to get into the park...avoiding the ticket lines, Then I can get the annual pass at the processing center sometime later in the day. Right?

Yup! I'm not sure how it works with the card you buy at the store, but when I bought my AP and printed it off at home, they exchange it for a one-day park-hopper at the turnstiles so that you can get FP's throughout the day, then you just have to get your real card and picture taken before you leave for the day. So, you actually CAN park-hop during the day before getting your AP if you want to, but when I was there there was no line really at the center, so I took care of it early in the day.

 

[LisaT91403]

Yup! I'm not sure how it works with the card you buy at the store, but when I bought my AP and printed it off at home, they exchange it for a one-day park-hopper at the turnstiles so that you can get FP's throughout the day, then you just have to get your real card and picture taken before you leave for the day. So, you actually CAN park-hop during the day before getting your AP if you want to, but when I was there there was no line really at the center, so I took care of it early in the day.

Can you still get your dining discounts with the park hopper? Or not until you get the AP?

 

[sonnyjane]

Can you still get your dining discounts with the park hopper? Or not until you get the AP?

Honestly I'm not sure. The cardstock hopper they gave me did say on it "Premium Annual Passport", but I'm not sure if they'd accept it for the discounts, as they have to scan your AP card whenever you use it. To be frank, it only took 3 minutes to get my AP processed and get my card with my photo (since I had already paid for it), so hopefully your experience is just as easy. I walked into the park and ran straight for a Space Mountain FP with the temporary card they got me, then I went to the AP center at around 10:00 AM and got everything taken care of right away.